Portugal trip next June (2019)
Dec 24, 2018, 7:35 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: USA
Programs: UA Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 1,194
Portugal trip next June (2019)
So I have a family trip to Portugal next June and am looking for suggestions from folks who have done these legs. This will be my first (only?) year as a 1K and I'd like to use these lovely GPUs if possible but I have decades flying in Economy so am not too broken up over flying in E+ either. I'm more concerned with earning PQM than RDMs.
I need to be in Lisbon on Jun 9 so could fly out Jun 8 or 7 going through Dulles or Newark. I really hate Newark but EWR-LIS is a 767-400ER versus 757-200 on IAD-LIS. The return from Lisbon would be Jun 30 or even Jul 1. I have a side trip to the Azores but it seems like the best thing there would be to book separately since I am heading over from Porto (OPO) and returning to LIS to catch the flight home. It would be really nice to combine the itinerary so I could just check my bags through from TER and just have my carryon for the overnight in LIS but that's not worth the premium UA seems to want to charge me -- or do you think a UA agent could work the same way Expedia or Google Flights seems to? The other complication is that while I'd like to try to get an upgrade for the UA legs, I'm willing to pay the roughly $200 extra for J/I fare to/from the Azores.
I need to be in Lisbon on Jun 9 so could fly out Jun 8 or 7 going through Dulles or Newark. I really hate Newark but EWR-LIS is a 767-400ER versus 757-200 on IAD-LIS. The return from Lisbon would be Jun 30 or even Jul 1. I have a side trip to the Azores but it seems like the best thing there would be to book separately since I am heading over from Porto (OPO) and returning to LIS to catch the flight home. It would be really nice to combine the itinerary so I could just check my bags through from TER and just have my carryon for the overnight in LIS but that's not worth the premium UA seems to want to charge me -- or do you think a UA agent could work the same way Expedia or Google Flights seems to? The other complication is that while I'd like to try to get an upgrade for the UA legs, I'm willing to pay the roughly $200 extra for J/I fare to/from the Azores.
Dec 25, 2018, 6:41 am
#4
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: TX
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 729
When searching for flights and upgrade space also consider DEN-LHR connecting to TAP Portugal or DEN-FRA connecting to LH. Both are valid star alliance routings.
Just something to consider to open up more possibilities (and planes!) - both are served by 787s.
Just something to consider to open up more possibilities (and planes!) - both are served by 787s.
Dec 25, 2018, 7:22 am
#5
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: SAN
Programs: 1K (since 2008), *G (since 1990), 1MM
Posts: 3,219
You would be able to use the GPUs DEN-LHR, and then connect (in Y) on TAP LHR-LIS.
Loved Portugal. Was there in July a couple of years ago.
Dec 25, 2018, 10:12 am
#6
Join Date: May 2003
Location: San Jose, CA USA
Programs: Marriott LT Titanium Elite, United LT 1M Gold
Posts: 552
We also did LHR - LIS as a code share on TAP. Although the flight was delayed an hour they kept us informed and all aspects of the flight were just fine. Lisbon was a fun trip (first time for us). Enjoy!
Dec 25, 2018, 12:44 pm
#8
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: MFR
Programs: UA 1K 1.9MM, Hilton Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 2,885
Via FRA or MUC with a cxn on LH is my preferred method. Last time I tried to book a connection with TP (last month) it kept erroring out. Called UA, they couldnt figure out how to ticket it, said TAP is “not playing nice”.
Dec 25, 2018, 1:02 pm
#9
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Houston
Programs: UA Plat, Marriott Gold
Posts: 12,693
Call United, see if an agent can find space, book then and there with GPUs if so, if not call back later.
Separate ticket for the Azores flights makes sense, don't bother trying to use UA's booking portal there.
Separate ticket for the Azores flights makes sense, don't bother trying to use UA's booking portal there.
Dec 25, 2018, 1:37 pm
#10
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Terceira Island
Programs: TP Gold, *G Star Alliance
Posts: 251
So I have a family trip to Portugal next June and am looking for suggestions from folks who have done these legs. This will be my first (only?) year as a 1K and I'd like to use these lovely GPUs if possible but I have decades flying in Economy so am not too broken up over flying in E+ either. I'm more concerned with earning PQM than RDMs.
I need to be in Lisbon on Jun 9 so could fly out Jun 8 or 7 going through Dulles or Newark. I really hate Newark but EWR-LIS is a 767-400ER versus 757-200 on IAD-LIS. The return from Lisbon would be Jun 30 or even Jul 1. I have a side trip to the Azores but it seems like the best thing there would be to book separately since I am heading over from Porto (OPO) and returning to LIS to catch the flight home. It would be really nice to combine the itinerary so I could just check my bags through from TER and just have my carryon for the overnight in LIS but that's not worth the premium UA seems to want to charge me -- or do you think a UA agent could work the same way Expedia or Google Flights seems to? The other complication is that while I'd like to try to get an upgrade for the UA legs, I'm willing to pay the roughly $200 extra for J/I fare to/from the Azores.
I need to be in Lisbon on Jun 9 so could fly out Jun 8 or 7 going through Dulles or Newark. I really hate Newark but EWR-LIS is a 767-400ER versus 757-200 on IAD-LIS. The return from Lisbon would be Jun 30 or even Jul 1. I have a side trip to the Azores but it seems like the best thing there would be to book separately since I am heading over from Porto (OPO) and returning to LIS to catch the flight home. It would be really nice to combine the itinerary so I could just check my bags through from TER and just have my carryon for the overnight in LIS but that's not worth the premium UA seems to want to charge me -- or do you think a UA agent could work the same way Expedia or Google Flights seems to? The other complication is that while I'd like to try to get an upgrade for the UA legs, I'm willing to pay the roughly $200 extra for J/I fare to/from the Azores.
Feel free to ask any info related to TER.
Dec 30, 2018, 11:26 am
#11
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: USA
Programs: UA Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 1,194
Thanks @milfweed20. We’re pretty comfortable with TER — both my siblings were born there and Mom and siblings have been back there recently.
Jan 2, 2019, 10:37 am
#13
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: USA
Programs: UA Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 1,194
I'd consider MAD but hadn't seen any flights going through there. I do see nice connections via LH through FRA or MUC -- anyone have experience with GPU or OpUp success on LH?
Jan 2, 2019, 5:10 pm
#15
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: BOS/EAP
Programs: UA 1K, MR LTT, HH Dia, Amex Plat
Posts: 32,040
GPU success on LH is orders of magnitude higher than on UA. OPUP ... you really want to count on an oversell situation? Even if that is the case then LH will prioritize based on the fare class and status ... so unless you are on a very expensive fare, there is little chance for OPUPs.